Discrete Svelteness: Evaluating flow structures in generative constructal design

New paper by Matei C. Ignuta-Ciuncanu and Ricardo F. Martinez-Botas

In this work, Matei C. Ignuta-Ciuncanu and Ricardo F. Martinez-Botas introduce discrete svelteness, a novel tool for modeling self-organization in generative design within the framework of constructal theory. The study shows how morphological freedom granted by generative methods improves efficiency in key flow problems originally addressed by constructal design: area-to-point, circle-to-point, and vascular (canopy-to-canopy) architectures.

In addition to enabling detailed, pointwise evaluation of geometric efficiency, discrete svelteness reveals how evolved flow configurations adapt locally to their environment—something traditional global metrics often overlook. By analyzing the spatial and statistical patterns of these structures, including power-law and skewed distributions, the study highlights how complexity, branching, and diversity emerge as signatures of efficient design.